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The CW, My Network TV sign up key partners
The CW network closed a key deal with station group ACME Communications last week, as well as individual affiliation pacts with 10 other stations. In the process, it moved several steps closer to its goal of reaching 90% of U.S. television homes by its Sept. 5 launch. The deals bring distribution to about 60%.
Fox startup My Network TV, meanwhile, signed several big deals of its own last week. Gaining carriage in two top-25 markets (St. Louis and Portland, Ore.) helped push My Network TV's distribution to 45% of the country.
Both networks still need to sign up more affiliates, particularly in smaller markets, and look to conclude distribution deals in the next few weeks, ahead of the upfronts in mid May.
With ACME, The CW will...